When President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni declared during his swearing-in ceremony that this would be a “Kisanja No Sleep” term, the message appeared to signal a new phase in governance, one in which results, accountability and service delivery take precedence over rhetoric.
During the campaigns, President Museveni consistently highlighted corruption, weak implementation of government programmes, inefficiency in public service and the need for public resources to directly benefit wananchi. What now appears different is the growing expectation that these concerns must move beyond discussion to actual enforcement.
Already, only days into the new term, there are visible signs of tighter supervision and increased scrutiny within some government institutions. The tone around public service delivery is shifting, with mounting pressure on officials to demonstrate measurable results rather than make promises.
The urgency is significant. According to estimates by the Inspectorate of Government, Uganda loses between Shs9 trillion and Shs10 trillion annually through corruption, procurement irregularities, inflated contracts, mismanagement and theft of public resources. Such resources could otherwise fund schools, equip hospitals and improve roads.
Another issue close to the President’s agenda is Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE), programmes introduced to guarantee free access to education for all learners. However, hidden charges in some government schools continue to burden families, contributing to school dropouts among vulnerable households unable to meet the additional costs.
The President has indicated that the matter will be handled firmly to ensure the original objective of free education is fully realised.
The theft of medicines from government health facilities also continues to undermine public trust in the health sector. Drugs purchased using taxpayers’ money often fail to reach intended health centres, forcing many citizens to seek expensive alternatives from private facilities. For many Ugandans, illness therefore remains both a health and economic burden.
On infrastructure, particularly roads, there remains a noticeable gap between government investment and the reality on the ground. President Museveni has repeatedly questioned why districts continue to receive about Shs1.3 billion annually under the road fund for grading, gravelling and maintaining community access roads, yet many roads remain in poor condition, affecting transport, trade and productivity. Analysts expect the matter to receive increased attention during the new term.
The Parish Development Model (PDM), a programme central to the President’s wealth creation agenda, was introduced to transition households into the money economy. However, implementation gaps persist in some areas, with reports that some beneficiaries receive less than the intended Shs1 million due to illegal deductions, bribery and interference by dishonest individuals.
Against this background, “Kisanja No Sleep” increasingly appears less like a campaign slogan and more like a national test of discipline and implementation. The phrase reflects growing expectations that government systems should work not only on paper, but in the daily lives of citizens.
For ordinary Ugandans, the expectations remain straightforward: better schools, reliable medicine, improved roads and government programmes that reach intended beneficiaries without interference. Many also hope that wealth creation initiatives can achieve deeper impact if accountability is strengthened and public resources protected.
Ultimately, the success of “Kisanja No Sleep” may not be measured by how often the phrase is repeated, but by whether citizens experience visible improvements in service delivery and governance. If discipline and implementation improve, the period could mark a transition from survival to productivity and from promises to measurable progress.
As Ugandans continue to enjoy peace and stability under President Museveni and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), many also view him as a patient leader who allows room for correction and reform. However, given his background as the founding commander of the National Resistance Army (NRA), known for decisive execution once committed, some observers believe the new term could place greater emphasis on accountability and implementation.
For many, this is therefore being viewed not as a season for complacency, but as a period for discipline, productivity and turning national ambitions into reality.
The writer works with the Presidential Press Unit.